Protected Back-Up Camera For Vehicles

ABSTRACT

A back-up camera for a vehicle incorporating a hood, a cover, nozzles for squirting water and air onto the surface of the camera lens, and an heating element for melting ice which accumulates on the lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Back-up cameras currently exist for some vehicles, but they are usually exposed to the elements and therefor can fog-up, get dirty and get wet thereby distorting the picture the camera transmits to the on-board monitor. Glare from the sun may also distort the picture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides embodiments which protect a back-up camera lens from environmental elements that distort the picture provided to the on-board monitor. These environmental elements can affect the lens when it is in use such as backing up in the snow or rain with precipitation attaching to the lens, glare from the sun distorting the picture or the lens having a frozen surface. Elements also affect the camera when it is not in use such as accumulating snow and rain that dries on the lens, dust build-up and scratching from the sand blasting effect of wind-driven sand. Some embodiments such as the cover protect the lens when not in use, other embodiments such as the hood, squirters and heater remediate the exposure of the lens to the elements by washing, drying, warming or shielding the lens. It will be understood that all of these features may be present in some embodiments, including embodiments with the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a back-up camera with a sun shielding hood;

FIG. 2 depicts a camera lens with an enclosing cover partially deployed;

FIG. 3 depicts a camera lens with an enclosing cover fully deployed;

FIG. 4 depicts a camera lens with a water squirter and an air squirter; and

FIG. 5 depicts a camera lends with a heating element surrounding the edges and back of the lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle back-up camera 2 protected from glare by a sun shield 4. While shield 4 is shown fixed in a position above a lens 6, some embodiments utilize a gimbal or circular track to allow movement of shield 4 to a position to either side of lens 6 if the sun is lower in the sky. Shield 4 may also be pivoted to be below lends 6 in situations where the sun is reflected off of snow or water. This embodiment is especially desirable when using the back-up camera to aid in attaching a trailer or driving a trailer into the water under a boat.

Shield 4 also protects lens 6 from rain and snow accumulation, thereby keeping lens 6 dry so that it is clear when activated.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention utilizing a protective cover 8 that functions like an eyelid. Cover 8 pivots about an horizontal axis and is usually in a closed position covering the lens and shielding the lens from contact with elements. FIG. 2 shows cover 8 in a semi-closed position and FIG. 3 shows the cover in the fully closed position. Cover 8 is activated simultaneously with the camera to quickly uncover lens 6. When cover 8 is closed, it protects lens 6 from dust, rain and snow and other elements that might distort or impact the picture send to an on-board monitor 10 (not shown.) Cover 8 may have incorporated therein a hood so that when cover 8 is withdrawn, a hood 12 attached to the edge of cover 8 rotates into a position above lens 6. It will be appreciated that a permanent shield 4 could also be used with or in place of hood 12. When a heavy snow has fallen and accumulated on a bumper or other vehicular structure that would otherwise come into contact with lens 6 when cover 8 is activated, hood 12 may provide a scooping action to brush accumulated debris or snow away from lens 6 as cover 8 is retracted.

FIG. 4 shows lens 6 with a water nozzle 14 located in a position where water can be directed onto the surface of lens 6. An air nozzle 16 is likewise positioned to allow air to be directed over the surface of lens 6. In some embodiments, water is squirted through nozzle 14 and thereafter, air is squirted through nozzle 16 to dry lens 6. If dust has accumulated, then a user may elect to use only nozzle 16 to blow off lens 6. It will be appreciated that the cleaning system incorporating nozzles 14 and 16 may be employed in addition to any other features used in other embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with a heating element 18. Heating element 18 may be positioned so as to encircle lens 6, or be placed to heat the back of lens 6, or both. In icy conditions, water may freeze onto the surface of lens 6. Heating element 18 will melt the ice and either dry the moisture or if nozzle 16 is incorporated into the embodiment, the melted ice may be blown off of lens 6 by nozzle 16.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A protected back-up camera for use on vehicles, said camera comprising; a lens for capturing moving images; and a shield mounted above said lens for protecting said lens.
 2. The camera of claim 1, wherein said shield pivots to block elements from impacting said lens from the side.
 3. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a water nozzle to direct a stream of water onto the surface of the lens.
 4. The camera of claim 1, further comprising an air nozzle to direct a stream of air onto the surface of the lens.
 5. The camera of claim 1, further comprising an heating element to melt ice off of the surface of the lens.
 6. A protected back-up camera for use on vehicles, said camera comprising; a lens for capturing moving images; a retractable cover to protect said lens from contact by elements.
 7. The camera of claim 3, wherein said cover incorporates a hood.
 8. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a water nozzle to direct a stream of water onto the surface of the lens.
 9. The camera of claim 1, further comprising an air nozzle to direct a stream of air onto the surface of the lens.
 10. The camera of claim 1, further comprising an heating element to melt ice off of the surface of the lens. 